"But you don't think the bible has contributed to our government being so screwed up? I mean, the whole idea of manifest destiny that this country was founded on is a highly religious ideal."

Well, yes and no...Manifest Destiny was used as an excuse to rob and murder our way across the country. Religions and ideologies have always been used to motivate and justify the actions of the masses; whether it's Marx or Moses.

If you think about it secularity could be used the same way. "Survival of the Fittest" n' such, so why shouldn't we dominate the weak?" I suppose high ideals, by their nature, have extreme polarities for good or bad. It all depends on where we choose to take them.

So I guess corrupt and opportunistic hearts are the real reason our government is so screwed up. It doesn't matter what formats they used. They would have found a way regardless.